Hello all, I was wondering if anyone has a shih tzu that has experienced back problems, specifically some paralysis.
My dog was having trouble walking around, jumping and was just not herself for the last day or two. Upon taking her to the vet we were told (without having taken x-rays) that the dog either had some paralysis in her spine or had an enflamed joint on her left back side.
The vet also said that this was normal??? for shih tzus. I've searched all over the net and can't find a single thing about this.
Has anyone out there experienced something similar? If my dog's appetite is normal (better than ever, actually), she's wagging her tail constantly but is having a hard time walking, is this paralysis???
-please help...thanks!

I have never heard of Shih Tzu with any problem like that. I have had two my Buster lived to be 12 he was a overweight boy that I rescued at 6 yrs of age even though he was large for this bred he never acted like that. My 4 yr old Jordie is fine aswell, if I were you I would again go to the Dr and get some real answers start with a X-ray that would really help. Let us know what you find out please

I have had two of these babies with back issues. My vet performs a bit of chiropractic treatments, and Little Bob also gets pain killers when the problem is severe. He also takes a vitamin supplement that has helped A LOT. We are better at being able to notice when he is having an issue before it gets severe so we limit his activity by either crating or gating him in a room. He is NOT allowed to go up or down stairs at all anymore. Like your dog, he eats perfectly fine when this happens, so that isn't really an indicator of the problem. You can just tell by watching how he moves.

Good luck with your doggie. I wouldn't trade mine for the world, and would do anything to help him.

Zoe. Yes my Shih tzu had back problem. She was 7 yrs old and loved to jump down off high places to meet the mailman etc. This past Monday she jumped once to often. She ruptured her spine middle of her back and became completely paralized from there back. It was such a sad sight, she put her head to the sky and begged for help. The vet said there was nothing we could do but put her to sleep. He said it is a weekness in that breed. She was a wonderful dog. If we did anything wrong, it may have been that we let her get a little overweight. So love your wonderful Shih Tzu and pray this never happens to it. normlee